james little - cfsd

James Little Managing Director

Who are we?• Started as Surrey Hills Wood Fuel, 2006• Aim: to develop local wood fuel supply • Bio Energy Infrastructure Scheme grant• Wood chip and pellet production est. 2008• Pellet plant based in Tilford

Why wood fuel?• Wood fuel is a low carbon fuel• Wood fuel is cost effective • Wood fuel is renewable • Local production supports local

business• Production enhances woodlands

Wood fuel is low carbon• CO2 released = CO2 absorbed during growth

• Fossil fuels = much higher CO2 released

Wood fuel is low carbonCO2 released in heating a typical house:

– 10 Tonnes Electricity– 7 Tonnes Heating Oil– 6.5 Tonnes LPG– 5.4 Tonnes Natural Gas– 0.3 Tonnes Wood Pellets– 0.1 Tonnes Wood Chip/ Logs

Source: Forestry Commission, 2009

Wood fuel is cost effectiveFuel prices per kWh

Source: Forestry Commission, 2009

Wood fuel is renewable• Trees grow, creating more fuel• Sustainable management essential• < annual increment = carbon balance• UK annual increment = 20m Tonnes• Woodlands grow quicker when managed

Timber Supply

Handling

Processing

Delivery Options

Fuel Transfer

Fuel Stores

Why wood pellets?• Boilers are clean, efficient & automatic• Suitable for smaller buildings • Lower up front capital cost• Less frequent deliveries• Low moisture/ high calorific value

Modern equipment

Domestic scale

Current status• Selling 1,000 tonnes pa (x3 Yr 1)• Business growing rapidly• Diversifying – fuel logs/ logs/ servicing• Production problems• Bought in from other UK producers

Challenges• Finding the right machinery• Sourcing dry, consistent raw material• Ensuring pellet quality• Store/ boiler design• Keeping costs down

Lessons learned• Don’t be a guinea pig!• Insist on performance before payment• Research raw material supply• Install a dryer• Work with other suppliers• Solve customers problems

Opportunities• RHI (April, 2011)• Rising fossil fuel costs• Being established already• Rationalising industry/ reducing costs• Good local raw material supply • Local market – existing & emerging

(SCC)

Why the Surrey Hills?

• Most wooded county - 22.4%

• Surrey Hills 40% woodland

• > 40% currently managed

• Work for forestry/ specialist

workers

Contact details:James Little

Tel: 01252 794 958Mob: 07917 509 372

E-mail: jameslittle@harvestwoodfuels.org.ukWebsite: www.harvestwoodfuels.co.uk

Questions?